Gorgias Encyclopedic Dictionary of the Syriac Heritage

NEW BOOK:

Brock, Sebastian, Aaron Butts, George Kiraz, and Lucas Van Rompay. Gorgias Encyclopedic Dictionary of the Syriac Heritage

Title: Gorgias Encyclopedic Dictionary of the Syriac Heritage
Availability: In Press
Publisher: Gorgias Press
Edited by Sebastian Brock
Edited by Aaron Butts
Edited by George Kiraz
Edited by Lucas Van Rompay
ISBN: 978-1-59333-714-8
Availability: In Press
Publication Date: 9/2011
Language: English
Format: Hardback, Black_ColorInsert, 8.25 x 10.75 in
Pages: 612

The Gorgias Encyclopedic Dictionary of the Syriac Heritage (GEDSH) is the first major encyclopedia-type reference work devoted exclusively to Syriac Christianity, both as a field of scholarly inquiry and as the inheritance of Syriac Christians today. In more than 600 entries it covers the Syriac heritage from its beginnings in the first centuries of the Common Era up to the present day. Special attention is given to authors, literary works, scholars, and locations that are associated with the Classical Syriac tradition. Within this tradition, the diversity of Syriac Christianity is highlighted as well as Syriac Christianity’s broader literary and historical contexts, with major entries devoted to Greek and Arabic authors and more general themes, such as Syriac Christianity’s contacts with Judaism and Islam, and with Armenian, Coptic, Ethiopian, and Georgian Christianities. In addition to the literary tradition, inscriptions and objects of art are given due consideration. The entries are accompanied by 131 illustrations, twenty of which are in color. The volume closes with maps, lists of patriarchs of the main Syriac Churches of the Middle East, and elaborate indices.

GEDSH is a collaborative project that involves seventy-six scholars from across the globe. Three of the four editors are associated with major universities in Europe and the United States: Oxford University, Yale University, and Duke University. The fourth editor is the founding director of Beth Mardutho: The Syriac Institute. GEDSH was carried out under the auspices of Beth Mardutho.

Pricing for scholars and students: $98.00
Pricing for institutions: $160

Wilfred Lambert R.I.P.

WILFRED LAMBERT, R.I.P. I've been meaning to blog on this sad news for some time. Mark Goodacre has a good roundup post: Death of Wilfred Lambert, Obituary and Reflections. I never properly met Professor Lambert, although I did hear him give a lecture in the 1980s when I was a postgraduate student. Much of his work in Assyriology was of direct interest to biblical studies, notably his books on Babylonian wisdom literature and (with Alan Millard) the Atrahasis Epic.

Rebecca Lesses on Praxis and Experience SBL session

REBECCA LESSES has posted her response to the three papers (including mine) in the November SBL session on Praxis and Experience in Ancient Jewish and Christian Mysticism: My response to panel on Religious and Mystical Experience at SBL (Mystical Politics).

Tony Burke on "Erasure History"

TONY BURKE has Reflections on "Erasure History" over at his Apocryphicity blog.

Background here.

New blog: hmmlorientalia

ASSIMILATED TO THE BLOGOSPHERE: Adam McCollum has a new blog: hmmlorientalia: "Some remarks—often with photos!—about manuscripts and the languages, literature, scholarship, and history of Christian culture in the Middle East."

(Via Alin Suciu.)

J. Rendel Harris profiled at Faces & Voices

J. RENDEL HARRIS is profiled by Roberta Mazza at the John Rylands Library blog, Faces & Voices: Archives Fever.

(Via Larry Hurtado.)

Biblical Studies Carnival 69

BIBLICAL STUDIES CARNIVAL 69 (November 2011) has been posted by Deane Galbraith at Remnant of Giants.

New Coptic excavation

A NEW COPTIC EXCAVATION: From Al Masry Al Youm: Ancient Coptic city discovered in New Valley (Al Arabiya News).

We never had an excavation in Ain al-Sabil before,” said [General Mostafa] Amin. “Maybe we’ll find other antiquities that would add to Egypt’s archaeological treasures.”

Manuscripts maybe? Watch this space.

Related, from Alin Suciu: Concordance of the Sahidic New Testament.

A Jewish New Testament

A NEW TESTAMENT EDITION from Marc Brettler and Amy-Jill Levine:

New Testament edition meant for Jews, Christians

Jewish-annotated edition a best-seller on Amazon religion lists

By Charles A. RadinNov. 28, 2011 (Brandeis Now)

It is not often that a bunch of professors’ scholarly work on an ancient religious text shoots past the thrillers, diet fads and self-improvement books that dominate the rapidly changing Amazon.com best-sellers list.

But that’s what happened over Thanksgiving break with the just-published book “The Jewish Annotated New Testament,” edited by Marc Z. Brettler, the Dora Golding Professor of Biblical Studies at Brandeis, and Amy-Jill Levine, the University Professor of New Testament and Jewish Studies at Vanderbilt.

The book peaked at number 31 of Amazon’s top 100 in all categories, and while it then settled back a bit it was still number one yesterday in both the “Bible and Other Sacred Texts” and “Christian Reference” categories. It also was the subject of a feature story last weekend in the New York Times.

The editors will hold a book party and discussion at Brandeis at 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 8 in the International Lounge of Usdan Hall. Father Walter Cuenin, head of the Brandeis Interfaith Chaplaincy; Rabbi Elyse Winick, the Jewish chaplain, and Barry Shrage, director of Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Boston also will speak.

“I had this idea after ‘The Jewish Study Bible’ was published,” says Brettler, referring to a similarly organized work that came out in 2004 and won the National Jewish Book Award. “People were excited about that, and I thought it would be interesting to try another such project. The New Testament seemed to be the logical book to do next.”

[...]

Amy-Jill Levine also has also recently co-authored a new introduction to the Hebrew Bible.

UPDATE: Rebecca Lesses has links and discussions here, here, and here at Mystical Politics.

Tomb of R. Shimon bar Yohai under state control

THE TOMB OF RABBI SHIMON BAR YOHAI is in the news:

Israel's second-most visited Jewish holy site, now under state control

Decision comes about 10 days after High Court turns down petition by a yeshiva that operates at the ancient tomb of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai in Meron, against the intention to expropriate the site.

By Eli Ashkenazi (Haaretz)

The cabinet decided Sunday to place the ancient tomb of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai under the management of a special government company under the supervision of the tourism minister.

It is expected to cost approximately NIS 27 million to implement the decision.

Signs leading to men’s and women’s sections at the tomb of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai in Meron.

About 10 days ago the High Court turned down a petition by a yeshiva that operates at the tomb, located in Meron near Safed in the north, against the intention to expropriate the site.

The yeshiva belongs to a Sephardic hekdesh, a type of organization that traditionally administers properties for charitable purposes.

[...]

From several days ago. Background on the site and the rabbi is here.

Knesset archaeology bill update

KNESSET ARCHAEOLOGY BILL UPDATE: This from five days ago.

Scholars slam bill to change makeup of Israel Antiquities Authority

Culture Minister Limor Livnat did not approve Israel Academy of Sciences president's nominations for authority chairman, has submitted Knesset bill that would let her appoint a non-academy member.

By Nir Hasson Tags: Israel culture Knesset (Haaretz)

Culture Minister Limor Livnat previously asked Prof. Oded Abramsky, a neurologist at Jerusalem's Hadassah University Hospital and member of the Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities, to serve as chairman of the board of the Israel Antiquities Authority, Haaretz has learned.Livnat turned to Abramsky after rejecting three historians and archaeologists from among the academy's ranks who were nominated by Prof. Ruth Arnon, the academy's president. After this idea proved impractical - possibly because Abramsky refused, though that remains unclear - Livnat submitted a bill to let her appoint someone who isn't an academy member as the authority's chairman.This is impossible under current law.

[...]

Cross-file under "Politics."

Background here.

Mughrabi Bridge update

TEMPLE MOUNT WATCH: This article on the Mughrabi (Mugrabi) Bridge controversy is now several days old.

Israel delays bridge razing at volatile holy site Mon Nov 28, 2011 10:24am GMT

*Bridge leads from Western Wall to al-Aqsa mosque complex

* Muslim religious leader in Jerusalem opposes project

* Israel says wooden ramp unsafe, must be replaced By Maayan Lubell

JERUSALEM, Nov 28 (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has delayed demolition of a footbridge at Jerusalem's holiest and most volatile religious site, fearing the work could spark Muslim anger, government officials said on Monday. The wooden ramp, now deemed unsafe by engineers, was erected by Israeli authorities as a stopgap after a snowstorm and earthquake in 2004 damaged the stone bridge leading up from Judaism's Western Wall to the sacred compound where the al-Aqsa mosque and the Dome of the Rock shrine stand. [...]

There's been lots of commentary about this, most recently from Israeli archaeologist Gabriel Barkai: “The Government is Being Dictated To.”

Background here.

Back in St. Andrews

I'M BACK IN ST. ANDREWS. More tomorrow.

Back to Scotland

BACK TO SCOTLAND. My flight leaves this afternoon and I expect to be in St. Andrews again Thursday evening. Sorry for the light blogging lately; it's been hectic here. Likewise, if you have e-mailed me recently, I may not have gotten back to you. I will as soon as I can. I hope to get back to something like a normal routine once I'm home.

New book: Desreumaux (éd.), "Les mystiques syriaques"

NEW BOOK:

Alain Desreumaux (éd.), Les mystiques syriaques (Etudes syriaques 8, Paris, Geuthner, 2011)

Françoise Briquel Chatonnet has posted the TOC and ordering information here at the Hugoye list.

William Hamblin on my SBL paper

WILLIAM HAMBLIN has posted some thoughtful and insightful comments on my SBL paper at his blog, Hamblin in Jerusalem: Thoughts on James Davila’s SBL Paper (Nov. 2011). When things slow down for me a little (which may not be very soon), I will post some thoughts in reply.

Torleif Elgvin's website

QUMRAN SCHOLAR TORLEIF ELGVIN has a new website: torleifelgvin.no.

Most of it is in Norwegian, but I have linked to the English section, where, inter alia, you can download his translation of the Gabriel Revelation, (a.k.a. Hazon Gabriel or the Vision of Gabriel, background here and here). He will publish more on his translation in the next volume of Semitica (54/2011).

HB/OT job at KCL

JOB AT KCL:

Samuel Davidson Professor OR Reader in Old Testament/Hebrew Bible

Department of Theology and Religious Studies

A9/AAT/802/11-TC

12/12/2011

Summary The department of Theology and Religious Studies, King's College London, seeks a world leader in the field of Old Testament/Hebrew Bible with effect from 1 September 2012 or as soon as possible thereafter. A research specialisation in the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible within its historical and cultural contexts would be particularly welcome, as would expertise in relevant archaeological debates. Applicants should have a strong background in using languages and critical tools, familiarity with the range of interpretative approaches current in Biblical studies, and a concern to address subjects relevant to contemporary issues. An interest in art history, literature, film and/or other contemporary arts would be an advantage. There are numerous opportunities for close collaboration with colleagues in Biblical Studies elsewhere in London and beyond. This post offers a chance to make a substantial contribution to the development of Biblical Studies in the UK and internationally.

Details Informal enquiries should be made to Prof. Paul Janz, 0207 848 2398, email paul.janz@kcl.ac.uk, or Dr Joan Taylor, 0207 848 2335, email joan.taylor@kcl.ac.uk

Salary The appointment will be made at Professorial or Reader level with salary to be negotiated, plus London Allowance. Benefits include an annual season ticket loan scheme and a superannuation scheme.

Post duration Open-ended

Contact For an application pack, please click on the 'Further details' link below. Alternatively, please email jcmbjobs@kcl.ac.uk Please quote reference A9/AAT/802/11-TC when applying and in all correspondence.

Follow the link for more details.

(Via the BNTS list.)

More on family in the Elephantine Papyri

FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS IN THE ELEPHANTINE PAPYRI get more attention from the Jerusalem Post Magazine:

His/Her Story: A mixed marriage in ancient Egypt

11/24/2011 13:38 By RENÉE LEVINE MELAMMED

The discovery of documents from Elephantine revealed two sets of family archives that provide insight into Jewish life in this community.

One archive belongs to Mibtahiah, probably the first Jewish woman whose life is documented (476-416 BCE; see column “A landed woman,” April 1). The second archive belongs to Annania Ben- Azaria, an attendant in the temple who was responsible for its upkeep.

Annania did not marry a Jewish woman, but rather an Egyptian handmaiden named Tamat. Intermarriages were not unusual in this society; the Egyptian spouse often assimilated into the Jewish community. (Mibtahiah’s second husband adopted a Hebrew name.) At any rate, Tamat, the daughter of Patu, belonged to Meshullam Ben-Zachor, a wealthy Jew.

[...]

This family had complicated dealings. To begin with, the master maintained control over his maidservant and her daughter until his death, freeing them only after he was no longer present. The handmaiden, an Egyptian working for a Jew, married a wealthy Jew who was employed in the temple built by the Jews of Elephantine, where they worshiped the Hebrew god Yahu alongside two female deities. Her union with him became legal once she produced a son, although her daughter is more prominent in the archive. This daughter also married a Jew and entered the union with a more impressive dowry than her mother had, for after all, she had a Jewish father and had inherited a Jewish adopted brother who was generous toward her. By the time her parents died, Tamat’s daughter had received or inherited substantial property.

[...]

The article from April mentioned above was noted in this post, which also links to earlier posts on the Elephantine Papyri.

Temple Platform completed after Herod's time

TEMPLE MOUNT WATCH: New finds confirm Josephus' account of the process of the building of the Herodian Temple Platform, some of which was actually completed after Herod's time. IAA press release:

Building the Western Wall: Herod Began it but Didn’t Finish it

Professor Ronny Reich of the University of Haifa and Eli Shukron of the Israel Antiquities Authority: A ritual bath exposed beneath the Western Wall of the Temple Mount shows that the construction of that wall was not completed during King Herod’s lifetime

Who built the Temple Mount walls? Every tour guide and every student grounded in the history of Jerusalem will immediately reply that it was Herod. However, in the archaeological excavations alongside the ancient drainage channel of Jerusalem a very old ritual bath (miqwe) was recently discovered that challenges the conventional archaeological perception which regards Herod as being solely responsible for its construction.

Recently, reinforcement and maintenance measures were implemented in the pavement of Jerusalem’s main street from 2,000 years ago, used by pilgrims when they went up to the Temple Mount. This was done as part of the project to re-expose the drainage channel that passes beneath the street, running from the Siloam Pool in the City of David to the Jerusalem Archaeological Garden near the Western Wall. The excavations at the site are being conducted on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority, in cooperation with Nature and Parks Authority and the East Jerusalem Development Corporation, and are underwritten by the Ir David foundation. The excavations are directed by archaeologist Eli Shukron of the Israel Antiquities Authority, with assistance from Professor Ronny Reich of the University of Haifa.

In an excavation beneath the paved street near Robinson’s Arch, sections of the Western Wall’s foundation were revealed that is set on the bedrock – which is also the western foundation of Robinson’s Arch – an enormous arch that bore a staircase that led from Jerusalem’s main street to the entrance of the Temple Mount compound.

According to Professor Reich, “It became apparent during the course of the work that there are rock-hewn remains of different installations on the natural bedrock, including cisterns, ritual baths and cellars. These belonged to the dwellings of a residential neighborhood that existed there before King Herod decided to enlarge the Temple Mount compound. The Jewish historian Josephus, a contemporary of that period, writes that Herod embarked on the project of enlarging the compound in the eighteenth year of his reign (that is in 22 BCE) and described it as “the largest project the world has ever heard of”.

When it was decided to expand the compound, the area was confiscated and the walls of the buildings were demolished down to the bedrock. The rock-cut installations were filled with earth and stones so as to be able to build on them. When the locations of the Temple Mount corners were determined and work was begun setting the first course of stone in place, it became apparent that one of the ritual baths was situated directly in line with the Western Wall. The builders filled in the bath with earth, placed three large flat stones on the soil and built the first course of the wall on top of this blockage.

While sifting the soil removed from inside the sealed ritual bath, three clay oil lamps were discovered of a type that was common in the first century CE. In addition, the sifting also yielded seventeen bronze coins that can be identified. Dr. Donald Ariel, curator of the numismatic collection of the Israel Antiquities Authority, determined that the latest coins (4 in all) were struck by the Roman procurator of Judea, Valerius Gratus, in the year 17/18 CE. This means that Robinson’s Arch, and possibly a longer part of the Western Wall, were constructed after this year – that is to say: at least twenty years after Herod’s death (which is commonly thought to have occurred in the year 4 BCE).

This bit of archaeological information illustrates the fact that the construction of the Temple Mount walls and Robinson’s Arch was an enormous project that lasted decades and was not completed during Herod’s lifetime.

This dramatic find confirms Josephus’ descriptions which state that it was only during the reign of King Agrippa II (Herod’s great-grandson) that the work was finished, and upon its completion there were eight to ten thousand unemployed in Jerusalem.

Click here for downloading high-res images

List of captions of the attached pictures:
1. The first course of the wall resting on the bedrock. Photograph: Vladimir Naykhin.
2. A coin of the Roman procurator Valerius Gratus, which helped in dating the construction of Robinson’s Arch.

For further information, kindly contact: Yoli Shwartz, Israel Antiquities Authority spokesperson, 052-5991888 dovrut@israntique.org.il

This is the photo of the coin: